Michigan DNR conservation officers successful in two search and rescue events this week

Conservation officers with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources serve their communities in many ways, including search and rescue efforts in the woods and on the water. Two recent examples occurred in the northern Lower Peninsula.

COs rescue hypothermic campers from Dead Stream Swamp in Roscommon County

Contact: Sgt. Brian Olsen, 989-275-5151, ext. 2727100

Two campers contacted the DNR Report All Poaching Hotline requesting rescue assistance after becoming stranded Friday in Dead Stream Swamp, a wetland consisting of more than 11,000 acres located between Cadillac and Houghton Lake in Missaukee and Roscommon counties. The campers, whose names are not being released, were dropped off at the Dead Stream Swamp by a friend on Friday with the intent to camp for four days. Rain developed during the evening hours and later turned to snow, soaking the campers and their gear. The temperature dropped to around 20 degrees Fahrenheit, which froze one of the men’s inhalers and caused him to have difficulty breathing. The campers contacted the RAP Hotline around 5 a.m. Saturday, saying they could not self-rescue. Dispatchers contacted local conservation officers, Sgt. Brian Olsen and CO Ben McAteer, who immediately responded to the caller’s last known cellphone location – about 1 mile west of the intersection of Higgins Lake Road and Pine Road in Lyon Township. It took officers about an hour to hike the 1 mile into the swamp, where they found the campers soaking wet in a makeshift shelter. The officers made a fire to help warm the campers and thaw their frozen boots. CO Matt Zultak also arrived on scene to assist. Once the campers were able to put on their boots and pack their gear, it took the group another hour to make it out of the swamp. They were met along the way by CO James Garrett, who helped navigate to a location where EMS was waiting. The group met EMS on Higgins Lake Road, south of Pine Road. EMS evaluated and released both campers at the scene.

Caro man and dogs recovering after falling into AuSable River in Alcona County

Contact: Sgt. Jon Warner, 989-390-9411

A 59-year-old man from Caro is expected to be released from the hospital after his boat capsized Tuesday along the AuSable River in Alcona County.

Accompanied by his two dogs, the man, whose name is not being released, was fishing on a 10-foot boat when he fell into the river while trying to disembark. The water was only 39 degrees Fahrenheit, and air temperature was freezing at 32 degrees.

Using his watch, the man texted 911 that he’d fallen into the river and was having difficulty breathing. The DNR later learned that the man had open-heart surgery two years ago and had recently been feeling ill.

Alcona County Central Dispatch notified local emergency responders of the situation around 2:16 p.m.

DNR Conservation Officers Jeff Panich and Casey Pullum heard the radio communication. Based on the last known GPS coordinates from the man’s watch, they responded to the intersection of Snowmobile Trail LP96 and the Shore to Shore Horse Trail at 3:12 p.m.

Panich and Pullum began walking the horse trail along the river and quickly located footprints in the snow. A short distance ahead, they saw a dog on the trail. Beyond the dog, they located the missing man, who was standing with blood covering his legs and feet. He was missing some clothes.

Panich immediately notified dispatch of the man’s location and requested assistance. After Panich approached the man, he said, “Help me,” and collapsed onto the conservation officer.

While the COs were waiting for medical assistance to arrive, the man became unresponsive. Panich and Pullum quickly pulled him out of the woods to a nearby river access parking lot, 4001 Bridge Landing, located off Federal Route 4001.

EMS and deputies quickly arrived and helped load the man into the ambulance, which transferred him to MyMichigan Medical Center Tawas.

Both dogs were secured and will be returned to the man when he is released from the hospital. The boat has not been recovered.

Alcona County Sheriff’s Department, Alcona County EMS and Curran Fire Department also assisted.

The DNR encourages outdoor enthusiasts to check weather conditions ahead of their trip and to plan accordingly with appropriate clothing and supplies. If venturing onto or near the water, wear a life jacket. Always provide someone who is not with you the details of your plan, including the locations you’re visiting, when you plan to return, and scheduled check-in times.

Michigan conservation officers receive specialized search and rescue training and are fully licensed law enforcement officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety, and protect residents through general law enforcement and conducting lifesaving operations in the communities they serve.

The Michigan DNR Report All Poaching Hotline, 800-292-7800 (call or text), is staffed by emergency dispatchers around the clock who utilize equipment and technology to assist the public with natural resource violations and law enforcement officers.

Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.

Shelter: It took officers about an hour to hike 1 mile into the Dead Stream Swamp in Roscommon County Saturday, where they found two campers soaking wet in a makeshift shelter.

Plan now for spring treatment of hemlock woolly adelgid

If hemlock trees on your property show signs of hemlock woolly adelgid infestation, now is a good time to plan for spring treatment of this invasive species. Hemlock woolly adelgid, native to Asia, is known to be present in areas of Allegan, Antrim, Benzie, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Muskegon, Oceana, Ottawa, Van Buren and Washtenaw counties in Michigan. These small insects suck sap from hemlock needles and ultimately can cause tree death.

Insecticides are available to control the insect, and in many cases, landowners can apply them easily by carefully following label instructions and application rate guidance. In Michigan, the label is the law. Due to certain restrictions on the use of these insecticides, you may need the services of a licensed pesticide application business. If one or more trees are infested, make plans to act this year. Without treatment, trees infested with hemlock woolly adelgid are likely to die within four to 10 years. Weakened trees on a home landscape could spell disaster during high winds or storms, and eventually they will have to be removed. Loss of hemlocks in forested areas can reduce shade, winter cover, and food and habitat for birds, fish and mammals.

Which treatments work?

Products containing either imidacloprid or dinotefuran as the active ingredient and labeled for treatment of hemlock woolly adelgid are effective in combatting the insect.

• Imidacloprid moves slowly through trees, taking at least a year to reach the top of a large tree. However, one application will protect the tree for at least four years.
• Dinotefuran moves through hemlock trees more quickly, making it ideal for heavily infested trees. Dinotefuran protects trees for one to two years.

No matter which treatment you select, be sure your treatment plan includes all hemlocks on your property over the next few years. If hemlock woolly adelgid is on your site, hemlocks without symptoms are very likely to be infested over time, including trees on neighboring properties. It’s a good idea to discuss treatment plans with neighbors and coordinate efforts when possible.

Can I treat trees myself?

Application of imidacloprid or dinotefuran is simple enough for many landowners to do themselves. Products containing these chemicals are available at garden supply stores, packaged under various trade names in liquid or granular form. Check the label or ask for assistance in selecting the right product.

Imidacloprid and dinotefuran products available at garden supply stores generally are applied to the soil close to the tree trunk, where they are absorbed through the root system. Plan your application for a time between early April and late October, when the ground has thawed and soil moisture is moderate – not too dry or saturated. The sooner you treat, the more successful your treatment will be.

Follow all label directions, wear appropriate safety gear and determine the right application rate to ensure positive results. To protect the environment, do not allow the product to enter or run off into storm drains, drainage ditches, gutters or surface waters.

Some products have restrictions on the amount that can be applied to an area per year. Be sure to read the label carefully to determine if the amount you need falls within these limits. If not, you may need to adopt a multiyear plan or hire a professional.

More information on do-it-yourself treatment can be found in the Michigan State University Extension bulletin Guidelines for homeowner treatments of hemlock trees infested with hemlock woolly adelgid.

When should I call a professional?

Licensed pesticide application businesses have a broader range of options for applying treatments than consumers, and their professional skills are recommended in certain situations. A county-by-county list of businesses holding pesticide application licenses can be found on the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s website, Michigan.gov/MDARD. For lawn or landscape trees, look for a professional licensed in the ornamental category (3B); for forest trees, choose the forestry category (2). If your hemlock trees are within 75 feet of a body of water or in areas with a high water table, or if flowering plants or shrubs are growing around the hemlocks you wish to protect, a trunk injection or bark treatment may be necessary to avoid affecting the environment, groundwater or other insects. Professional applicators can provide these types of treatments.

What should I expect after treatment?

Hemlock woolly adelgid’s cottony, white ovisacs will linger for a time following treatment. If trees are treated in the spring with dinotefuran, check new growth in late fall or winter for any fresh signs of infestation. With imidacloprid, wait until a year after treatment to gauge effectiveness.

After treatment, trees should be checked every year. If the insect has returned after dinotefuran was used, reapplication may be needed after one to two years. For imidacloprid, consider retreatment every four to seven years.

Do my trees have hemlock woolly adelgid?

If you have hemlock trees on your property, it is important to check them for signs of hemlock woolly adelgid, which infests only hemlock trees. If you are not sure whether your trees are hemlocks, use the Michigan Invasive Species Program’s eastern hemlock identification guide.

The adelgid’s round, white, cottony ovisacs are most visible in the winter and are located on the undersides of hemlock branches at the base of the needles. The publication Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Look-Alikes provides images and information on identifying this and other pests commonly mistaken for it.

How do I report an infestation?

If you suspect trees on your property have hemlock woolly adelgid, report it using the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network at MISIN.MSU.edu. You can report from the field using the MISIN smartphone app, which will log the location and allow you to upload photos of the suspected signs of the insect.

You also can take pictures, note the tree’s location and email the information to MDARD at [email protected] or report by calling 800-292-3939. Someone will respond to let you know if hemlock woolly adelgid is present or not.

Please do not clip infested branch samples and transport or mail them. This could accidentally spread the insect to new areas.

For more information on identifying and managing hemlock woolly adelgid, visit Michigan.gov/HWA.

Michigan’s Invasive Species Program is cooperatively implemented by the Michigan departments of Agriculture and Rural Development; Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; and Natural Resources.

Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.

Infested branch: Round, white hemlock woolly adelgid ovisacs are found on the undersides of branches near the base of the needles.

HWA treatment: Certified pesticide applicators inject an infested hemlock tree with pesticide.

Contact: Kerry Heckman, 517-643-1256

Ensure the future of your forest through the Forest Legacy Program; nominations due May 2

How do you protect your forest for future generations? Michigan’s Forest Legacy Program offers some options. It provides the state with funding to purchase or secure conservation easements on environmentally important forest lands to ensure that our next generations can enjoy them as well. The Forest Legacy Program is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “The Forest Legacy Program protects forest lands so they will provide the benefits of forests forever,” said Kerry Heckman, forest land administrator with the DNR’s Forest Resources Division. “Well-managed forests are a critical source of the forest products we use every day. Forests help provide us with clean air and water and are the places we love to hunt, hike, fish and connect with nature.” Do you have a parcel that could benefit from Forest Legacy Program protection? Nomination applications for the nationally competitive program are due May 2. Past examples of forest lands secured by the program are parcels along the Lake Superior shoreline and in the Pigeon River Country State Forest. More than 156,000 acres have been protected in Michigan. These forests were competitive for program funding because they: Are managed as working forests to keep them healthy and thriving. Contain prime fish and wildlife habitat. Offer outdoor places to enjoy. Benefit the forest products economy.

Protected forests will always be forests

The Forest Legacy Program provides an opportunity for landowners to keep forests as forests, encourages sustainable management and supports forest product markets.

All interests in land acquired by the Forest Legacy Program last forever. Agreements must contain language ensuring that rights are perpetual. Michigan’s program requires that Forest Legacy lands are open to the public, at a minimum, for nonmotorized access. Landowners who don’t have an existing forest management plan will need to develop one before a project can be completed.

The DNR will review and prioritize eligible projects and may submit up to three to compete nationally for funding. Projects nominated by May 2 will compete for funding in the fiscal year 2027 federal budget, which begins Oct. 1, 2026. The state can request up to $20 million for projects.

Nominate your forest land

Find details and download a nomination application on the Forest Legacy Program webpage. Email program lead Kerry Heckman at [email protected] for more information.

Note to editors: An accompanying photo is available below for download. Caption information follows.

Black River Ranch forest: Aerial view of the Black River Ranch forest, a Forest Legacy Program-enrolled property bordering the Pigeon River Country State Forest in Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula.

Saugatuck Brewing Company and DNR partner to protect lake sturgeon

Lake Street Light campaign launching after successful Rainbow Rodeo IPA initiative, which raised $10,000 for habitat restoration across Michigan

Saugatuck Brewing Company is reaffirming its commitment to supporting conservation and habitat restoration efforts across the state by once again partnering with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Set to launch in April 2025, the Lake Street Light x Lake Sturgeon Program is a collaboration between SBC and the DNR designed to raise awareness and support the conservation of Michigan’s lake sturgeon population. A portion of proceeds from every Lake Street Light sold will be donated to DNR efforts aimed at restoring the lake sturgeon’s habitat and boosting its population.

The new light lager, Lake Street Light, is a crisp, refreshing brew with only 96 calories and 4% ABV, inspired by the beauty of Michigan’s lakes and waterways.

“Lake Street Light is more than just a beer—it’s a nod to Michigan’s wild heart,” said Sara Van Splinter, Director of Marketing at Saugatuck Brewing Company. “These shores, our ‘Lake Street,’ are home to countless species, and we’re proud to help protect one of them: the lake sturgeon, living fossils that have swum since the time of dinosaurs. This partnership with the Michigan DNR allows us to give back to the waters we love while sharing the story of these remarkable creatures.”

Lake sturgeon are critical to Michigan’s aquatic ecosystems, but their population has declined due to habitat loss, pollution, and overfishing. The program’s proceeds will directly support the DNR’s sturgeon conservation projects.

“To say that lake sturgeon are a major part of Michigan’s aquatic history doesn’t quite do them justice,” said Patrick Ertel, with the Habitat Management Unit of the DNR’s Fisheries Division. “These fish have been around for more than 100 million years, which may be hard to even comprehend. In terms of more recent generations, there are individual sturgeon in our waters today that are older than anyone reading about this partnership. We’re excited to partner with Saugatuck Brewing Company to highlight this incredibly persistent fish and the fact that some lake sturgeon currently in Michigan waters have been there since before the invention of the automobile. Think about that!”

SBC is planning to extend the Lake Street Light x Lake Sturgeon Program to neighboring Great Lakes states, collaborating with other DNR agencies on lake sturgeon conservation and habitat restoration efforts across the region.

This announcement comes on the heels of a successful partnership between Saugatuck Brewing Company and the Michigan DNR through the Rainbow Rodeo IPA Program. From May through October 2024, the initiative raised $10,000 to support habitat restoration projects focused on Michigan’s trout population.

“Working alongside the Michigan DNR was an incredible experience and a true team effort,” said John Miller, CEO of Saugatuck Brewing Company. “Together, we raised not only funds but also awareness about the importance of protecting Michigan’s natural habitats.”

Saugatuck Brewing Company also highlighted this important initiative through its sponsorship of the West Michigan Whitecaps Bung Hammers game, spreading the message to baseball fans across West Michigan.

Both the Lake Street Light x Lake Sturgeon Program and the Rainbow Rodeo IPA Program are part of Saugatuck Brewing Company’s vision to promote sustainable practices and engage the community in preserving Michigan’s natural resources. For the latest news and announcements on Saugatuck Brewing Company’s 2025 programs, follow the brewery online at saugatuckbrewing.com or on Facebook or Instagram.

About Saugatuck Brewing Company: Saugatuck Brewing Company, established in 2005, is an independently owned craft brewery situated next to Saugatuck along the shores of Lake Michigan. With a commitment to quality and innovation, the brewery takes pride in crafting unique and flavorful beers that capture both tradition and the spirit of the region. Saugatuck Brewing Company’s footprint covers 13 states and 7 foreign countries with plans for continued growth. Follow their journey online at saugatuckbrewing.com or on Facebook or Instagram.

About the Michigan Department of Natural Resources: The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. The department strives to protect resources, ensure sustainable recreation use and enjoyment, enable strong natural resources-based economies, improve and build strong relationships and partnerships, and foster effective business practices and good governance. For more information and updates, visit Michigan.gov/DNR or follow on Facebook, X, Instagram or YouTube.

Note to editors: An accompanying photo is available below for download. Caption information follows.

Check presentation: A 2024 DNR/Saugatuck Brewing Company partnership raised $10,000 to support fishing habitat restoration. Shown here are Scott Whitcomb, director, DNR Office of Public Lands; John Miller, CEO of Saugatuck Brewing Company; Patrick Mohney, senior lands program manager, DNR Office of Public Lands; and Scott Bowen, director, Michigan Department of Natural Resources.